Sisyphus - Real Ale Brewing Company

Durge

Connecticut

4.3/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another goody captured on tap at the Whip In in Austin, Texas, this barleywine is a solid amber color, slightly hazed with a modest white head and fair lacing. The aroma offers deep rye malt with hints of sweet whiskey. Very nice. Thick cloying rye whiskey jumps out on the palette, I love it. Simple and nicely balanced with vague banana bread and orange subtleties. This barleywine approaches full bodied with peaceful carbonation with a calm, near whiskey-like feel. This is a little bit of a different take on barleywine but very tasty and highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

04-08-2012 03:04:45 | More by Durge

MEsquandoles

Texas

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

$5 for 9oz snifter at Black Star Co-op. 2010 vintage, kegged Jan 2011.

Gorgeous orange-amber with an abundance of fine bubbles. Great head retention.

Very English, but with a higher hop presence than a standard English Barleywine. Earthy. Toffee, orange marmalade, apricot, other fruits carmelized with Brandy. Taste lingers for an impressive while.

Feels creamy and full. Not too sweet. Rich.

Incredibly smooth, incredible drinkable given the ABV and style. Drinking very nice right now.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2011 09:41:45 | More by MEsquandoles

Fenris244

Texas

2.73/5  rDev -30.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I've. Really been looking forward to having this on tap, finally got my chance with a 2010 version

Light amber in color, 2 finger head, decent retention

Sweet malty character in the aroma and some cherry notes, hops are present but in the aroma at least are subdued.
 
It's hot and hoppy with some malt on the finish, had one of these that was a few years old and this a far cry from that. Needs some age

Light in body, and smooth, the alcohol inhibits the drinkability and knowing what it could be hurts it as well. With 1- 2 of age it starts to drink fabulously, new however I'll pass

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2011 01:59:03 | More by Fenris244

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.63/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap at the Petrol Station in Houston. It's a clear golden color with a thin cap of foam. The thin cap looks appropriate for an American barleywine, but the light color surprised me a little bit.

Really nice aroma, well hopped but not over-hopped. The hops come across as grassy, maybe a little floral, rather than citrusy. Really nice sweet malty notes beneath that, lighter rather than caramelly, maybe a hint of ethanol. Am I starting to come around to this style of beer, or is Sisyphus just my style of barleywine? Probably the latter more than the former. And probably due to a combination of non-citrusy hops and non-caramel malts.

Same in the flavor, this is excellent stuff. All kinds of delicious, there is just not a bad flavor in this barleywine. I so wish I had bought some bottles to take home, damn this is delicious.

As drinkable and approachable an American barleywine as I have come across. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2011 01:18:29 | More by TurdFurgison

StoneBrewFanatic

Virginia

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2007 Vintage:

A - Pours a light copper color into my chalice with just a thin layer of head that dissipates rather quick, however it does leave quite a nice ring of lace around the glass.

S - Nose is rather soft with notes of caramel malts, caramelized sugar, subtle orange, dark fruits and some alcohol.

T - Lots of caramel malts, like the nose somewhat subtle on the flavors as well. Caramelized brown sugar, some citrus and dark fruit, and a funky bitterness that lingers on the palate.

M - Smooth and creamy, really well rounded even though I believe it has lost a little carbonation over time.

D - Amazingly drinkable for a barleywine, not overwhelming at all and although you can't really taste the alcohol it still is a slow burn to it.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2011 02:10:21 | More by StoneBrewFanatic

LacquerHead

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on-tap at the Friendly Spot in S.A. Tx.
A: orange amber color with a white foamy head.

S: it had a musty hops smell mixed with fruity grain.

Nice hops upfront with a slightly sour and tangy taste in the background. It had a good malt profile. There was a nice sweetness but not to over powering. Overall it was well rounded and every thing worked together making this a tasty brew. Note: My sister said it smelled and tasted like Fruit Loops.

The ABV was well masked

Conclusion: very pleased with this beer and I would have it again. A good beer from the little town of Blanco.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2010 15:26:15 | More by LacquerHead

philipquarles

Louisiana

3.3/5  rDev -16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On tap at the Gingerman Houston. Pours clear copper with a thick white head that looks like a nitro product, though it's not. Great lacing. Smells caramel-sweet with plenty of hop character. Plenty of light fruit, especially orange. Almost candy-like. Tastes both sharply sweet and somewhat bitter at the same time. Full caramel malt flavor against resinous hops; both sides are quite strong, and almost clash rather than balance one another. Full, borderline-syrupy body. This one seems like it could use a few years to mellow out the hop notes...glad I picked up a few bottles for the cellar.

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2009 05:29:20 | More by philipquarles

hoplover82

Texas

4.47/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A-Pours a deep hazy orange color with very little carbonation and very little lacing.

S-The aroma is nice with sweet caramel malts and some hops to balance. With a touch of alcohol aroma. But not hot alcohol.

T-The taste is much like the aroma, with strong caramel notes and and woody, earthy hops. Pretty nice taste indeed.

M-Full bodied indeed with a creamy smooth texture. Has a little alcohol in the palate which is to be expected, but in no way is it hot. Very smooth for 11.5 ABV. They did a good job on this one. My wife really likes it. And she has been into wheat beers for a while. So that should tell you something.

D-This one goes down too well.Man it's smooth.

I said this one was on tap because it was a 2007 vintage. It was in a bottle. Very good. Get some if you can find it.

Serving type: on-tap

06-22-2009 02:41:13 | More by hoplover82

Vancer

Illinois

3.1/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to YonderWanderer for the brew sent as we BIF race, 2008!
Even at 11%, this brew had a massive tan head on top of a hazy amber.
But the aroma and quaff on this one were quite baffling, lots of soapy woody citrus - I've never had a Barleywine with these aspects. I have to really concentrate to pull some fruit through the soap suds.
Strange brew, and from the reviews, I must have got a weird bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2008 20:04:23 | More by Vancer

armock

New York

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured a dark amber color with a tan head that leaves lacing

S - Is of citrus, fruits, hops, and a touch of alcohol

T - Some alcohol bite then the sweet malt comes through and fruit flavors

M - This has a thicker body with medium carbonation to it

D - This is only the second Barley Wine that I've tried and I must say that its pretty damn good I've had it a few other times since I first took notes and I'll be getting more of it again

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2008 21:32:23 | More by armock

ballewblake

New Jersey

4.3/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2006 tap to the 2007 bottle/tap.

I used to drink this at the Flying Saucer in Addison like it was going out of style. Usually followed a DFH 90 Minute. Super smooth and incredibly drinkable. I don't remember the alcohol being over powering on the pallet until the 2007 came out.

Had the 2007 on tap at Rutz in Houston and wow what a difference from the 2006. Taste is more reminiscent of that barley wine taste you'd expect, much harsher on the alcohol side than before. Drinking from a bottle I get the same thing. This variant almost seems to be a different beer to me. Drink ability is still there but I'm more hessitent with it now, Not something you want to over drink in a session, and hard to go through fast (I got to the bar late and it was one of two places in Texas (they said) that got a keg of the '07. So got one glass, drink it, last call, got another thinking they'd let me finish but no, had to slam it and it was a challenge.)

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2008 23:16:12 | More by ballewblake

IBUnit63

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Nice, heavy mouthfeel expected for a barleywine with excellent viscosity - almost has the feel of a light-medium body dessert wine. Fresh, balanced, malty taste with good hop aroma, although masked by slight over-abundance of alcohol. Well-made, solid effort.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2008 14:29:42 | More by IBUnit63

BeerBelcher

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Barleywine at 11%, huh? I didn't realize that when I ordered off the big board late a few nights ago at the Austin Gingerman (on tap). But I did really enjoy it. It was hoppy and rich and roasty and good.

It poured a red-brown opaque color and had 2cm of whitish head. Aroma was more hoppy than anything else, but was slightly sweet as well. Flavor was more sweetness, but also with some roastiness and a significant amount of hoppiness. Mouthfeel was substantial; a bit astringent (maybe the ABV asserting itself).

Very good; I'd recommend it. I had this on-tap at the Austin Gingerman.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2008 00:22:27 | More by BeerBelcher

EPICAC

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had this on tap at The Dancing Bear Pub, a new beer bar/ brew pub in Waco.

Appearance: Pours a hazed amber-copper with a beige head that thins to a film leaving patches of lace.

Smell: Light overall, dark fruit, a nice caramel maltiness, and hints of alcohol.

Taste: Sweet caramel malts, vague notes of dark fruit. The finish has a bit of citrus character, with notes of earth and a moderate bitterness. The alcohol is well hidden.

Mouthfeel: Full-bodied, moderate carbonation, creamy.

Drinkability: Sweet, and a little strong. Could have used a little more hops.

Overall: I really liked the maltiness in this beer, but I thought it could have used a bit more hop bitterness.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2008 21:48:12 | More by EPICAC

apmurphy

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Opal Devine's in Austin. Pours a deep hazy orangey amber with minimal head. Aroma is sweet with significant fruity hop. 11.5% is well hidden in the tasty malt/hop balance, tons of both. Not unlike a well aged Bigfoot. The best beer brewed in Texas? I can't think of one that's better.

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2006 03:40:09 | More by apmurphy

BigBarley

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bottled on 10.01.12
Pours like honey-colored motor oil, coming out to be a deep orange/ honey blend, with a nice, sticky, imperial white crown of foamy goodness. Looks like cloudy, delicious goodness.

Aroma is one of sweet, citrus hops, backed by a buttery, bready malt character. It even smells syrupy, but delicious and intriguing,

Indeed! Candy-like zest, lemon, orange, slight hint of grapefruit... citrus candy syrup all over a malty, buttered cracker. Alcohol is prominent, and gives a general spicy texture to the flavor. I bet that rounds out nicely after a little age. Not for someone who hates booze presence on the tongue.

Thick, thick and thick. Carbonation is explosive and lively, which works well with the alcohol spice to give it a real kick. Good fun to drink.

All around impressive barleywine, enjoyable on all fronts. I'm glad I took the chance and grabbed this local gem, it's pretty nice.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 14:38:01 | More by BigBarley

deg

New Hampshire

4.05/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer poured a good amber color, and I could smell the hops. The smell had a fruit tang, like citrus, more like orange than grapefruit. I could taste the hops. I could not pick up much of a malt taste. The beer had a creamy feel to it. I felt very little alcohol warmth. Since I don't like American Barleywine (I prefer English Barleywine when I get Barleywine style beers), I probably would not buy this again. If you are someone that likes American Barleywine style beers, this would be a good one to try out since it matches the style (with the exception of alcohol warmth) well.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 23:19:01 | More by deg

charlzm

California

3.71/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Consumed on January 24th, 2013. Bottle dated 3.24.12. Purchased Austin, TX in May of 2012 at Whip In. Poured into a Klokke Roeland goblet at 50 degrees F.

Beer pours a nearly-clear orange-amber. A bashful head of white foam becomes a ring around the edges in short order. This beer has some legs when swirled.

Aroma is sweet with vanilla and cane sugar notes.

Flavor is big and thick. As in nose, vanilla and brown sugar are up front. Fruitiness I can't pin down (Pears? Peaches? Raisins?) swims in a sea of alcohol warmth. Finish is oddly clean with only a little sweetness lingering behind. Not particularly bitter.

Mouthfeel is thick and still and a little oily.

Not my favorite barleywine, but a significant one. Damn, that's strong!

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 05:45:04 | More by charlzm

Sven_Darinski

4.66/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Tried the 2012 and first try was less than favorable as the alcohol seemed to overwhelm any flavor but for the sour hops. The second and third glass (not the same night) however changed my mind. Seems the hops tame over time and an added caramelized or sweet note balances the hops. But make no mistake the punch in this barley wine is not for a "sisy."

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 03:14:12 | More by Sven_Darinski

facundoCNB

New Jersey

4.65/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2011 bottle

a murky orange with a finger of head (holy crap, carbonation!) which quickly diminished. nutty, malty, sweet caramel smells coming right up front.. almost an almond like scent. the taste is a complex mix of grains.. barley, i taste some oats, some rye as well.. holy crap this is like drinking a world class bread. not even tasting the abv at all on this one but i know it's high. very sweet, honey like hints, mixed in with bready flavors. best tasting barley wine i've had in a long time.

medium to full in body with a modest amount of carbonation for the style of beer this is.

a great sipper, a wonderful barleywine.. way breadier than most i've tasted.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 10:28:59 | More by facundoCNB

davey101

Connecticut

3.53/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

2011 vintage. 12 oz bottle into a tulip glass and allowed to warm up a bit.

A - Pours a hazy dark red/orange body. Small one finger off white dissipates quickly into some thin edging. Solid lacing and retention.

S - Sweet caramel malt, dank hops, citrus, and raisins. The finish is a bit warming from the alcohol.

T - Similar to the nose with caramel malts and raisins followed by some dank and citric hops. Very much an American barleywine with the hops still clinging on with some light bitterness. Aftertaste is piney and grapefruit juice and slightly off putting.

M - Medium bodied and slightly syrupy. Carbonation is a bit too high. Alcohol isn't very noticeable.

O - A solid example of the American Barleywine. I'm really just not subscribed to the idea that they are worth aging though. Thanks for the chance to try this gtermi!

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 05:13:32 | More by davey101

BrewerB

California

3.53/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks to miikezombie for sending this beer out via trade. Tonight feels like a sipping beer evening so I figured it'd be a good time to crack one open.

This is the 2009 version.

Pours a crystal clear medium orange with a thin off-white foam that couldn't keep it together. Slight wet cardboard notes in the early aroma hint at oxidation. Saltine cracker and toffee. Also detecting some dark fruity esters, blackberry. In the cup, I'm picking up citrus fruits, caramel, lightly toasted bread, and a small amount of butterscotch in the background. Touch of vegetal in the finish. Medium in body, carbonation is fairly low.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 06:20:27 | More by BrewerB

gtermi

Texas

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: This beer pours a nice dark orange body with a thin white head that quickly fades to nothing.

S: There are tons of sweet malt on the nose, with a nice amount of caramel and a slight bit of alcohol.

T: The flavor has a strong amount of booze and also a strong amount of sweet caramel malt.

M: The beer is very smooth and has a nice full body. There is a tiny bit of crispness on the back of the throat and tip of the tongue.

O: This is a solid beer. I bought several bottles so I can age them and see how they turn out with time.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 04:18:06 | More by gtermi

KKB

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A – It has that really nice really light brown, or dark orange with some yellow mixed in there, sunset aspect to it. Looks quite good, with some slightly off white, orangy colored head at the top. The head doesn’t last very long before receding with just a thin layer at the top.

S – You get peach and malt smells in the nose, with only the slightest pang of alcohol (has a slight brandy fragrance to it) witch is impressive considering the high ABV.

T – What a delicious taste. Sort of a candied light caramel sweetness/toffee in the start, with some bitterness and hoppiness with a biscuity quality and a wonderful alcohol warmth that flows down so easily.

M – Full-bodied, very light carbonation that lasts throughout. I has a gooey almost syrupy body to it that obviously makes it the barley wine that it is. Very nice mouth-feel overall.

O – Very good barleywine. I cannot believe the ABV, because you really cannot taste it throughout. It only has that nice alcoholic burn to it that indicates that it’s there. A lovely barley wine overall and it is different as well, not like barefoot that has that hoppy quality to it, this is much sweeter and has much more malt present. I will definitely be getting this again.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 23:51:50 | More by KKB

DRyan

Texas

4.23/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2012 edition poured in a Jester King Tulip glass

A: Copper yellowish orange with good white/very light tan head. The head “drips” cloudiness into the beer, as if all of the yeast were in the head and making their way to the bottom of the glass slowly. The head recedes slowly and laces nicely.
S: Almost smells like a farmhouse ale, a bit funky a bit sour-ish with a strong malt and a strong alcohol scent coming through
T: The malts play well with the hops in this one. There is a strong malt flavor to it, but it is balanced nicely with an aggressive hop profile that does not go over the top. The alcohol also makes an appearance. The aftertaste is first alcohol, then caramel and toffee, a bit sweet.
M: Smooth and velvety. The carbonation profile is mild and the beer itself goes down easily.
D: Very nice for a barleywine. Not too overpowering to be drinkable, but still not a summer afternoon chugger in any way.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 00:37:35 | More by DRyan